Day 1 of the Whole30

I've done it, y'all! I've made the leap and am doing the whole30 challenge for the next 30 days. No sugar, processed foods, beans, rice, etc. Here are all of the details about the whole30 incase you're curious. 

Many of you know I was able to get off my pain prescriptions last September after years of taking them for fibromyalgia. Going into this year, a goal of mine has been to continue on my wellness journey, doing good things to support my body. I've read for years that sugar is bad for autoimmune conditions, and experts say to exclude sugar with fibromyalgia. The thing is though, I like sugar. ;) I usually eat it each day - I love cookies after my lunch! I saw friends getting ready to do this challenge and just felt right and want to try this for my body. 

I haven't eaten gluten for the past 3 years, and dairy for the past 3.5 years, but this is not going to be easy! I think eating out will be the biggest challenge really. Though I have been used to asking questions about the menu, this will take it to another level. I have seen helpful guides about eating out on the whole30 too, which I appreciate. 

My breakfast today - my first official whole30 meal:) 2 hardboiled eggs, 1/2 tomato, 1/2 avocado with salt & pepper. It was so delish! Adding onions would be great too (though I wouldn't love onion breath all day..). 

Chocolate chili was my lunch & dinner (recipe here! I couldn't find whole30 compliant beef broth, so I used vegetable broth). I prepared the chili Sunday to help myself get through the first few days easier (I'll be eating chili for a few more meals which I love - leftovers are my fave). Plus, cooking mid-week can be a challenge for me! I did sauté kale tonight to add some greens. I caramelized onions first in olive oil, added the kale with garlic (powder since I'm out of minced), salt and pepper. What a great meal. So delicious too! This has been the most delicious day I've had in a long time - and no cookies were even involved ;) 

For extra foods throughout the day, I had 1/4 of a cucumber sliced with salt & some almonds a little bit before lunch, a handful of cherries and a kiwi this afternoon (I'm trying to adjust to stop snacking during this challenge since it's preferred to not snack if it's not needed - maybe I need bigger meals?! I'm such a snacker.). Such delicious foods! Feel free to pass any recipe/meal ideas my way! 

Stay posted. I'm sure I'll be sharing more throughout this journey! I'm posting to my instagram and Facebook page too. 

Today's Pinspiration (about the Whole30):

Source

Supporting my Digestive System with Young Living Oils

Hey friends! I still can't get the rest of my Lake Tahoe photos on my computer to share here. How weird! I thought I'd post this video I made today of how I use Young Living oils & supplements to support my digestive system. 

As part of our team's Learn & Share challenge, I'm sharing all kinds of ideas this month on my blog's Facebook page! Hop over to check out the rest of my posts this month and follow along.

If the video has issues, try this link. 

In other oily news, I'm SO EXCITED, because the new premium start kit launched today! Woohoo!! I can't wait to get mine and check this baby out. 

Here are some things I love about it:

• It's gorgeous (new labels & packaging that I love)
• It has a few new oils in it (which are some of my faves)
• You can choose between FOUR awesome diffusers when you order the kit

Bamboo Diffuser




 Dewdrop Diffuser

Home Diffuser



Aria Diffuser


• It has a few "flex" oils that may be swapped out when oils may get really low in stock, this way the kit doesn't get backordered! Love that. 
• It will have sample bottles in it, to make it easy to share with your friends and family as they're curious about these essential oils you're using. 

Order yours today and let me help you use these oils to benefit yourself and your family! 

Today's Pinspiration:

Etsy Source (Oily friends - Isn't this print adorable?)

Oil Video of the Day & How to Become a Young Living Member

I have another video posted for June's Learn & Share challenge I'm participating in for my essential oils team. I've been posting daily tips over on the blog's Facebook page too! This tip is one I learned from a friend recently and I'm loving it:

(Here's the link to the youtube video in case you don't see it here.)

Let me know if you have other tips you'd like to see videos on! :)

- - - - -

PS- have you heard the premium starter kit is getting an update this month? The new kit will be even more beautiful and give new members options to choose their diffuser when they order the kit and other fun options. The new kit will be offered at $160 when it is rolled out sometimes this month. If you've been wanting to get your kit, you may want to snag it today, while it's still $150. 

 I love knowing Young Living takes such great care throughout the whole process of getting our oils. From picking quality seeds, planting them, caring for them and weeding by hand (to not use chemicals, thankfully!), harvesting, distilling and bottling the oils. It's referred to as the "seed to seal" process, and is one of the biggest reasons I chose Young Living over other essential oil companies I researched. This is a lavender field in Mona, Utah - isn't it beautiful?!

 Here's all you get in the current kit! $300 worth of product for $150. Jump on board and let me help you!

Follow these steps to order your kit today:

• Click here, to be taken to the member sign up page (it will have my member already filled in, so you'll become a member of my team!)

• Make sure to select Wholesale member, not Retail customer

• Create your account, and enter your personal info

• Select your start kit (Premium Starter Kit is the best option)

• At this point, you can order more if you'd like

• Complete your order, and welcome to the family! Woohoo! You'll love this journey. It's been such a blessing for us! I'll send you a welcome email and be in touch to help you know how to start using your oils. 

Comment or email me if you have any questions! I'd love to help. EatExploreEnjoy@gmail.com. 

I love our oils team and am sure you will too! We are not alone in this journey. 

Loaded Bacon & Kale Salad

This is my favorite meal right now. It's SO good! There are all kinds of ways to experiment with it, adding what you like and taking out what you don't. I think massaging the kale is key, and bacon takes it up 10 notches. The peanuts make it awesome too!

Wash 1 bunch of kale & massage it for 1-2 minutes to soften it- the green will get brighter as you massage it. 

Bake 1 lb of bacon. 

Let it cool & chop it. 

Core and chop 1 apple, 1 tomato, and chop 1/2 or 1/3 of an onion. 

Add everything together into a big bowl, and add 1 or 1.5 cups of peanuts, and salt & pepper to taste (add lemon juice for a bonus!). 

Then add your fave dressing (mine is balsamic vinaigrette), toss and let it cool for a little bit in the fridge. 15 minutes or so is good for me. Yum! Nick says this is a man's salad 😉 but it's my fave too. I love the leftovers too! We usually have 4 servings from this meal, so we eat it for dinner one night and lunch the next day - it's just as great for lunch the next day in my opinion :)

Enjoy!

Today's Pinspiration:

Pinterest Source